Chiefs Softball takes two from Panthers
BOB KIRKPATRICK | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 years, 7 months AGO
WENATCHEE - The Chiefs softball team is back in the thick of things in Big Nine play with two league road wins over the Panthers Wednesday.
Moses Lake came from behind to win game one 14-4, then held on to win the second game of the twin bill 16-10.
Game one
The Chiefs were held off the board in the top of the first inning. Wenatchee got off to a quick start as the Panthers brought four runners across the plate in their half of the frame to go up 4-0.
It looked as though the home team would run away with the contest after putting an early scare on Moses Lake.
But the Chiefs bounced back with 14 runs in the top of the second to shock the Panthers, then held Wenatchee of the board the rest of the way to win 14-4 in five innings as the 10-run mercy rule cut the game short.
Haylie Van Laethem had the hottest bat for Moses Lake going 2-for-3 at the plate with a double, three RBI and three runs scored.
Jazmynn Jesse had two hits in three at bats with a triple, one RBI and three runs scored, and Yvette Moreno went 1-for-3 with a triple and 3 RBI. Van Laethem got the win for the Chiefs with six strike outs and no walks.
Game two
The second game of the doubleheader saw Moses Lake take and early 3-0 lead. Wenatchee closed the gap to 3-2 in the bottom of the first inning to get back in the game.
The Chiefs made it 4-2 with a run in the top of the second. The scored held up until the Panthers brought three runners across the plate in the bottom of the third to take their first lead of the game, 5-4.
Wenatchee increased the margin to 9-4 with four runs in the fourth inning. Moses Lake scored two in the top of the fifth and sixth innings to get within one, 9-8 and make a game of it.
The Panthers pushed the sore to 10-8 with a run in the bottom of the sixth and seemed to be in control with the Chiefs coming to the plate one last time in the seventh.
All Wenatchee had to do was record three outs for the win, but Moses Lake rallied for eight runs, then kept the Panthers off the board in the teams last at bat to capture a 16-14 come from behind win.
Hailee Bishop was the big stick for the Chiefs going 2-for-2 at the plate with a home run, one RBI and three runs scored.
Tressa Radach had one hit in five at bats with a triple, two RBI and a run scored, and Alex Jones was 2-for-2 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored.
Van Laethem was the winning pitcher of record for Moses Lake as she went the distance, giving up 10 runs off 13 hits, while fanning six Panthers and walking four.
"I thought we played well. The kids never gave up being down 9-4 (in game two), and never giving in really impressed me with our young team," coach Dave Gregory said. "It was a real team effort. Everyone from starters to bench players had a big role in our victories today."
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